Blog
The mystic who foresaw the winter solstice illu...
Writer and visionary George William Russell wrote about the sun entering the chamber of Newgrange 70 years before it was rediscovered by archaeologist Michael O\'Kelly.
The mystic who foresaw the winter solstice illu...
Writer and visionary George William Russell wrote about the sun entering the chamber of Newgrange 70 years before it was rediscovered by archaeologist Michael O\'Kelly.
The sad destruction of Ireland's prehistoric mo...
Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland discusses recent incidents of vandalism and damage to ancient monuments, how it is part of a historical problem, and what can be done to prevent...
The sad destruction of Ireland's prehistoric mo...
Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland discusses recent incidents of vandalism and damage to ancient monuments, how it is part of a historical problem, and what can be done to prevent...
The Old Abbey: a historical treasure in the hea...
It's not exactly megalithic, although it was built with lots of stone. It's not exactly Neolithic, belonging more to the Medieval period. But the Old Abbey, tucked away in the...
The Old Abbey: a historical treasure in the hea...
It's not exactly megalithic, although it was built with lots of stone. It's not exactly Neolithic, belonging more to the Medieval period. But the Old Abbey, tucked away in the...
Explore the Boyne Valley monuments in Google Earth
In this video, I take a look at the location of many of the major monuments of the Boyne Valley using Google Earth, a free program which is very useful...
Explore the Boyne Valley monuments in Google Earth
In this video, I take a look at the location of many of the major monuments of the Boyne Valley using Google Earth, a free program which is very useful...
Video - momentous day as website launched, new ...
Here is a video I made last night (2nd November 2017) at the end of a long but exhilarating day, on which the new Mythical Ireland website went live AND...
Video - momentous day as website launched, new ...
Here is a video I made last night (2nd November 2017) at the end of a long but exhilarating day, on which the new Mythical Ireland website went live AND...
Momentous day - website launched, new book rece...
What a momentous day it's been today. I didn't plan it this way, I can assure you, but the first two copies of my new book, Mythical Ireland: New Light...
Momentous day - website launched, new book rece...
What a momentous day it's been today. I didn't plan it this way, I can assure you, but the first two copies of my new book, Mythical Ireland: New Light...
Céide Fields date back to early Neolithic c. 6,...
New research carried out by the Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit at NUI Galway has proven that Céide Fields, situated on the north Mayo coast, date back to the early Neolithic (earliest...
Céide Fields date back to early Neolithic c. 6,...
New research carried out by the Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit at NUI Galway has proven that Céide Fields, situated on the north Mayo coast, date back to the early Neolithic (earliest...
Celebrating St. Sheelah's Day with a look at Dr...
Mythical Ireland\'s Anthony Murphy visits Drogheda\'s Sheela-na-gig at Millmount Museum in honour of Saint Sheelah\'s Day (March 18th)
Celebrating St. Sheelah's Day with a look at Dr...
Mythical Ireland\'s Anthony Murphy visits Drogheda\'s Sheela-na-gig at Millmount Museum in honour of Saint Sheelah\'s Day (March 18th)
New Year, New Moon – moon, Venus and the stars ...
The first evening of the new year was a glorious one at Newgrange in the Boyne Valley. The first sunset of 2017 was magnificent, followed by a descent into twilight...
New Year, New Moon – moon, Venus and the stars ...
The first evening of the new year was a glorious one at Newgrange in the Boyne Valley. The first sunset of 2017 was magnificent, followed by a descent into twilight...
Lughnasa sunset shines into the passage of Cair...
Thirty-seven years ago, in 1980, Martin Brennan, Jack Roberts and their team of researchers made several significant discoveries relating to the astronomical alignment of several ancient chambered cairns (passage-tombs) in the...
Lughnasa sunset shines into the passage of Cair...
Thirty-seven years ago, in 1980, Martin Brennan, Jack Roberts and their team of researchers made several significant discoveries relating to the astronomical alignment of several ancient chambered cairns (passage-tombs) in the...
Tara and Loughcrew aligned for Lughnasadh sunset?
Back in February of this year, at Imbolc, myself, Ken Williams and Lar Dooley witnessed the sunrise shining into the ancient passageway of Cairn U at Carnbane East, Loughcrew. That...
Tara and Loughcrew aligned for Lughnasadh sunset?
Back in February of this year, at Imbolc, myself, Ken Williams and Lar Dooley witnessed the sunrise shining into the ancient passageway of Cairn U at Carnbane East, Loughcrew. That...
The Milky Way and the Evening Star at Newgrange
A photograph of the Milky Way and Venus over the great Newgrange monument.
The Milky Way and the Evening Star at Newgrange
A photograph of the Milky Way and Venus over the great Newgrange monument.
The contemporary relevance of our most ancient ...
A discussion of The Book of the Cailleach by Gearóid Ó Crualaoich.
The contemporary relevance of our most ancient ...
A discussion of The Book of the Cailleach by Gearóid Ó Crualaoich.
Incredible 3D imagery of the inside of Newgrang...
Some beautiful 3D imagery showing the solstice light beam inside the Newgrange chamber.
Incredible 3D imagery of the inside of Newgrang...
Some beautiful 3D imagery showing the solstice light beam inside the Newgrange chamber.
Brownshill Dolmen: a monumental remnant of the ...
Lar Dooley explores Brownshill Dolmen in Co. Carlow, a relic from our Neolithic past.
Brownshill Dolmen: a monumental remnant of the ...
Lar Dooley explores Brownshill Dolmen in Co. Carlow, a relic from our Neolithic past.
The Hag's Chair at Loughcrew - the throne, perh...
This is the so-called Hag's Chair at Cairn T, Sliabh na Calliagh, Loughcrew. Although it is part of the kerb of the cairn, it is unlike any other kerb stone...
The Hag's Chair at Loughcrew - the throne, perh...
This is the so-called Hag's Chair at Cairn T, Sliabh na Calliagh, Loughcrew. Although it is part of the kerb of the cairn, it is unlike any other kerb stone...
The prophecy of the ard-druid from 'The Coming ...
Anthony Murphy reads from chapter 1 of The Coming of Cuculain by Standish O'Grady.
The prophecy of the ard-druid from 'The Coming ...
Anthony Murphy reads from chapter 1 of The Coming of Cuculain by Standish O'Grady.
Carrigbrack hill at Loughcrew is also called Sl...
Carrigbrack hill at Loughcrew is also known as Red Mountain. Anthony Murphy explores a possible reason for this second name.
Carrigbrack hill at Loughcrew is also called Sl...
Carrigbrack hill at Loughcrew is also known as Red Mountain. Anthony Murphy explores a possible reason for this second name.
Maps of the cairns at Sliabh na Caillighe, Loug...
Some maps of the Loughcrew cairns, Co. Meath, based on satellite imagery from Bing Maps.
Maps of the cairns at Sliabh na Caillighe, Loug...
Some maps of the Loughcrew cairns, Co. Meath, based on satellite imagery from Bing Maps.
A glorious dawn announces the beginning of wint...
The sun shines into the ancient Cairn L at Carnbane, Loughcrew, to mark the beginning of winter.
A glorious dawn announces the beginning of wint...
The sun shines into the ancient Cairn L at Carnbane, Loughcrew, to mark the beginning of winter.
The old world in all its green and youthful beauty
I could fly from one side of Ireland to the other and I’d hear nothing but the rush of the wind, the running of the rivers and the wild creatures...
The old world in all its green and youthful beauty
I could fly from one side of Ireland to the other and I’d hear nothing but the rush of the wind, the running of the rivers and the wild creatures...
The celebration of Samhain/Hallowe'en probably ...
The celebration of Samhain probably originates in prehistoric Ireland, argues Anthony Murphy.
The celebration of Samhain/Hallowe'en probably ...
The celebration of Samhain probably originates in prehistoric Ireland, argues Anthony Murphy.
Pictures from the excavation of a 5,000-year-ol...
The excavation of a 5,000-year-old passage-tomb located at the Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill overlooking Dublin is significant for a number of reasons. It's the first excavation of a passage-tomb...
Pictures from the excavation of a 5,000-year-ol...
The excavation of a 5,000-year-old passage-tomb located at the Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill overlooking Dublin is significant for a number of reasons. It's the first excavation of a passage-tomb...
The remarkable geological secret behind the loc...
The giant kerb stones of Newgrange, and many of those at Knowth, weighing up to five tonnes apiece and more, were sourced along the coastline at Clogherhead, and brought by...
The remarkable geological secret behind the loc...
The giant kerb stones of Newgrange, and many of those at Knowth, weighing up to five tonnes apiece and more, were sourced along the coastline at Clogherhead, and brought by...
A marvellous vision of Tír na nÓg at Sliabh na ...
When you climb Sliabh na Caillighe (the hill known today as Carnbane East, Loughcrew), it's difficult not to think of what motives and forces inspired a community of people in...
A marvellous vision of Tír na nÓg at Sliabh na ...
When you climb Sliabh na Caillighe (the hill known today as Carnbane East, Loughcrew), it's difficult not to think of what motives and forces inspired a community of people in...
The Milky Way in Irish mythology and folklore
The Milky Way has been known by several names and phrases in Irish mythology and folklore. Principal among its names seems to have been Bealach na Bó Finne, which means the Way...
The Milky Way in Irish mythology and folklore
The Milky Way has been known by several names and phrases in Irish mythology and folklore. Principal among its names seems to have been Bealach na Bó Finne, which means the Way...
Welcome to Fourknocks! - a quick tour of ancien...
A wide-angle view of Fourknocks from the northeast. It was excavated and restored in the 1950s. Fourknocks is a small megalithic passage-tomb on a ridge in southeastern County Meath, about...
Welcome to Fourknocks! - a quick tour of ancien...
A wide-angle view of Fourknocks from the northeast. It was excavated and restored in the 1950s. Fourknocks is a small megalithic passage-tomb on a ridge in southeastern County Meath, about...
On the night of a lunar eclipse, there's a beau...
A halo around the moon over the Boyne Valley, viewed from Newgrange. On the night of a penumbral eclipse of the moon, it seemed appropriate that I should go out...
On the night of a lunar eclipse, there's a beau...
A halo around the moon over the Boyne Valley, viewed from Newgrange. On the night of a penumbral eclipse of the moon, it seemed appropriate that I should go out...
Do the myths about Newgrange and the Boyne Vall...
"Myths are just stories," a historian once told me. As far as he was concerned, they were stories that were made up for sheer entertainment. In that mindset, myths are...
Do the myths about Newgrange and the Boyne Vall...
"Myths are just stories," a historian once told me. As far as he was concerned, they were stories that were made up for sheer entertainment. In that mindset, myths are...
The public is not allowed inside Knowth's ancie...
The public are not allowed inside the passages and chambers of the ancient megalithic passage-tomb of Knowth. There are various reasons for this - not least the fact that in...
The public is not allowed inside Knowth's ancie...
The public are not allowed inside the passages and chambers of the ancient megalithic passage-tomb of Knowth. There are various reasons for this - not least the fact that in...
The story of the Cailleach of Loughcrew and its...
Many of you have probably heard the story of the Cailleach (hag or witch) of Loughcrew. The hills of Loughcrew are scattered with the remnants of a vast cluster of...
The story of the Cailleach of Loughcrew and its...
Many of you have probably heard the story of the Cailleach (hag or witch) of Loughcrew. The hills of Loughcrew are scattered with the remnants of a vast cluster of...
What is the meaning of Knowth's pillar stones?
A large sandstone pillar stands outside the entrance to the western passage at Knowth. The meaning of this pillar, and a similar but smaller one on the eastern side, is...
What is the meaning of Knowth's pillar stones?
A large sandstone pillar stands outside the entrance to the western passage at Knowth. The meaning of this pillar, and a similar but smaller one on the eastern side, is...
Explore Newgrange virtually with this fantastic...
Do you live thousands of miles from Ireland? Yearn to see Newgrange up close but cannot afford the air fare? Fret not. Technology now enables you to explore it from...
Explore Newgrange virtually with this fantastic...
Do you live thousands of miles from Ireland? Yearn to see Newgrange up close but cannot afford the air fare? Fret not. Technology now enables you to explore it from...
Podcast: hour-long interview with Mythical Irel...
I was recently interviewed on Dundalk FM radio by Betty Clarke for a show called Castaways. This is an hour-long show in which a guest talks about their life, interspersed...
Podcast: hour-long interview with Mythical Irel...
I was recently interviewed on Dundalk FM radio by Betty Clarke for a show called Castaways. This is an hour-long show in which a guest talks about their life, interspersed...
Reflecting on the metaphor of the slaying of Ba...
I recently had the opportunity to visit Tory Island, off the northwest coast of Ireland, nine miles out into the Atlantic Ocean off Donegal. Being acutely aware that the island...
Reflecting on the metaphor of the slaying of Ba...
I recently had the opportunity to visit Tory Island, off the northwest coast of Ireland, nine miles out into the Atlantic Ocean off Donegal. Being acutely aware that the island...
Spend a few minutes at Newgrange enjoying the s...
This is a video of Newgrange in the evening time in summer. It's such a tranquil and beautiful place to spend time, as this video shows. Listen to the sounds...
Spend a few minutes at Newgrange enjoying the s...
This is a video of Newgrange in the evening time in summer. It's such a tranquil and beautiful place to spend time, as this video shows. Listen to the sounds...
'Above Below' - a documentary about Newgrange a...
This is a segment from a half hour documentary about Newgrange Monument to Immortality author Anthony Murphy and his journey from being a newspaper journalist into writing books about the ancient monuments...
'Above Below' - a documentary about Newgrange a...
This is a segment from a half hour documentary about Newgrange Monument to Immortality author Anthony Murphy and his journey from being a newspaper journalist into writing books about the ancient monuments...
Video tour of the ancient monuments of the Boyn...
In this video, I take a look at the location of many of the major monuments of the Boyne Valley using Google Earth, a free program which is very useful...
Video tour of the ancient monuments of the Boyn...
In this video, I take a look at the location of many of the major monuments of the Boyne Valley using Google Earth, a free program which is very useful...
Video: The story of Balor and how he stole the ...
Tory Island is famous as having been the mythical stronghold of the Fomorians, led by Balor. Balor was said to have stolen the magic cow, Glas Gaibhlinn, from Gabhan the...
Video: The story of Balor and how he stole the ...
Tory Island is famous as having been the mythical stronghold of the Fomorians, led by Balor. Balor was said to have stolen the magic cow, Glas Gaibhlinn, from Gabhan the...
Newgrange at midsummer - the solstice and the l...
I had the pleasure of spending a couple of evenings out at Newgrange this week, following the very recent Summer Solstice.Tonight's visit was especially beautiful. I saw the sun going...
Newgrange at midsummer - the solstice and the l...
I had the pleasure of spending a couple of evenings out at Newgrange this week, following the very recent Summer Solstice.Tonight's visit was especially beautiful. I saw the sun going...
Dowth and the story of hunger - ancient monumen...
I was at Dowth on the Summer Solstice, which was on Monday last. It was nice to be at Dowth on the longest day of the year, and quite fitting because of...
Dowth and the story of hunger - ancient monumen...
I was at Dowth on the Summer Solstice, which was on Monday last. It was nice to be at Dowth on the longest day of the year, and quite fitting because of...
Video: An explanation of some of the astronomic...
In this video, I explain some of the fascinating astronomical and mythical symbolism of today's Summer Solstice, and in particular I point out the very unique occurrence of the sun...
Video: An explanation of some of the astronomic...
In this video, I explain some of the fascinating astronomical and mythical symbolism of today's Summer Solstice, and in particular I point out the very unique occurrence of the sun...
Folk memory - could local people in 1938 recall...
I've written before about the apparent curious persistence of local folk memory. You might recall one of the most famous examples - the fact that local people said Venus (the...
Folk memory - could local people in 1938 recall...
I've written before about the apparent curious persistence of local folk memory. You might recall one of the most famous examples - the fact that local people said Venus (the...
The Boyne river, Carl Jung and the reconciliati...
I've been reading a book about the life and influence of Carl Jung. One of the things that has struck me since I recently began to earnestly probe the life...
The Boyne river, Carl Jung and the reconciliati...
I've been reading a book about the life and influence of Carl Jung. One of the things that has struck me since I recently began to earnestly probe the life...
Watching the northerly march of the sun as we h...
I realise that I haven't written a blog post in a while. It's not that I haven't been doing anything. Quite the opposite. One of the things that's been keeping...
Watching the northerly march of the sun as we h...
I realise that I haven't written a blog post in a while. It's not that I haven't been doing anything. Quite the opposite. One of the things that's been keeping...
Tractor at work in the Nanny valley, Bellewstow...
A tractor in a field in the Nanny valley near Bellewstown, Co. Meath, rolling the soil after ploughing. The introduction of agriculture in the New Stone Age was arguably the...
Tractor at work in the Nanny valley, Bellewstow...
A tractor in a field in the Nanny valley near Bellewstown, Co. Meath, rolling the soil after ploughing. The introduction of agriculture in the New Stone Age was arguably the...
Almost 1.9 million sunsets since Newgrange was ...
Almost one million, nine hundred thousand sunsets. If we take the date of 3150BC for the construction of Newgrange (which is the date favoured by archaeologists), then tonight's sunset in...
Almost 1.9 million sunsets since Newgrange was ...
Almost one million, nine hundred thousand sunsets. If we take the date of 3150BC for the construction of Newgrange (which is the date favoured by archaeologists), then tonight's sunset in...
Blocc and Bluigne – standing stones at Tara
Blocc and Bluigne, the two ancient standing stones in the churchyard on the Hill of Tara. Some people say they are guardian stones. Others say that they are fertility stones....
Blocc and Bluigne – standing stones at Tara
Blocc and Bluigne, the two ancient standing stones in the churchyard on the Hill of Tara. Some people say they are guardian stones. Others say that they are fertility stones....
The Great Silver Yoke of the Boyne turns south ...
I wonder how many people throughout history might have viewed the mighty sweeping bend of the Boyne as she turns southwards at Oldbridge/Townleyhall from this great vantage point. There is...
The Great Silver Yoke of the Boyne turns south ...
I wonder how many people throughout history might have viewed the mighty sweeping bend of the Boyne as she turns southwards at Oldbridge/Townleyhall from this great vantage point. There is...
Easter Sunday and controlling time at Brug na B...
I suppose it's fitting that I should come to Newgrange on Easter Sunday, as the country remembers the events of a century ago, events that gave birth to a new...
Easter Sunday and controlling time at Brug na B...
I suppose it's fitting that I should come to Newgrange on Easter Sunday, as the country remembers the events of a century ago, events that gave birth to a new...